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Mariam was born on July 1, EC 468, under a different identity. Later, her entire family was killed by the mage Abyss I.R.,[1] who raised her to become an assassin, Neomaria. Possessing Malice,[2] the child became a ruthless killer at a very young age. For her first job, she was sent to take down a caravan crossing the desert and succeeded, leaving no survivors.[3] One day, she was assigned to kill a fugitive who had betrayed his country and killed his younger brother, told that her target would be wearing red clothes.[4] Waiting at the top of the cliff, she spotted her target and prepared to attack before realizing he was a boy not much older than her.[5] Hesitating, she slipped off the cliff and hit her head, losing consciousness.[6]

Some time later she awoke along in a wasteland, having received medical attention.[7] Having lost her memories from her head injury,[8] the child was picked up by a caravan and decided to go by the name Mariam based on what few memories she had left.[9] Afterwards, Mariam was adopted by the Head of Intelligence Phutapie and enlisted in the Asmodean military. Becoming the general of the Silver Sparrow Unit at the age of nine, Mariam participated in Asmodean's war with the Kingdom of Lucifenia. In EC 477, Mariam and her unit were assigned as the vanguard of the Golden Dragon Unit for the invasion of Lucifenia through the Babul Desert.[10] Around the time, an old woman with a red cat was sighted in the Misty Mountains; Mariam then began having nightmares of her former life.[11] While heading to their assigned location, she betrayed her unit and rebelled before fleeing to Lucifenia.[10]

During the war, she encountered a mercenary, Gast Venom, and they became acquainted, her learning of his sister's death and his desire to fight as a mercenary because it was the only thing he knew.[12] After she joined the Lucifenian ranks, Mariam served as a subordinate to King Arth and Queen Anne. Around that time, she met and befriended Leonhart Avadonia.[13] Around EC 480, the two of them fought with the Beelzenian Empire's staff officer Elluka Clockworker and were quickly defeated, their weapons blown away in a windstorm the mage created.[14] A week after facing Elluka, Mariam joined Leonhart and Arth at Sanosun Bridge and witnessed Elluka join them as well, the three of them swearing an oath to the Lucifenian king on the bridge.[14]

As the years progressed, Mariam, Elluka, and Leonhart helped push King Arth's offensive and turn the war to Lucifenia's favor. During this period, she met blacksmith Langley and visited him whenever she needed her weapons repaired.[12] At some point, Elluka gave Mariam high quality knives for her use. By EC 490, the three became known as the Three Heroes for their wartime actions, commemorated as such in a portrait by Nikolay Tolle.[13]

"Behind Minister Presi’s back, I researched about the existence of an old woman named Abyss I.R. But I was not able to determine her true identity, her goals, or her current whereabouts. This old woman was likely the true mastermind behind all this; as long as she was left as a loose end, I had to stay on my guard."

After King Arth's death in EC 491, the war ended and Mariam continued her service to Queen Anne.[13] In December of that year, Mariam met with Queen Anne regarding the political dispute over the right of succession caused by Minister Presi. Discussing the situation regarding Princess Riliane's odd behavior and Presi's intentions, they became concerned by the potential issues that could come up and the Queen ordered Mariam to investigate. During her investigation, she learned that Presi was collaborating with an old woman, Abyss I.R., and that she was behind Presi's plot to control the government through manipulating Riliane.

Soon after, Mariam attended to Prime Minister Genesia's room and found Elluka battling a demonicallypossessed Presi. She intervened and rescued her friend from certain defeat, and the two managed to defeat the minister, killing him. Once the demon possessing Riliane was exorcised and Prince Alexiel was adopted by Leonhart, the Queen ordered Mariam to become a maid serving Riliane in order to help the Princess recover from her amnesia and missing brother.

After the event, the new head maid found an unconscious nine-year-old girl in the capital and learned she had forgotten everything but her name: Ney. Unable to leave the girl without a family, Mariam adopted her, sharing the matter with Elluka and Leonhart later while comparing notes on how their lives had progressed.[15]

Following Queen Anne's death in January of EC 499, Mariam attended her friend and ruler's funeral alongside Elluka and the weeping Princess Riliane. Around that time, Chartette Langley became a maid at the royal palace and Mariam often interceded to help clean up the girl's messes. Mariam later joined her fellow Three Heroes in a meeting of the ministers and princess in the Hall of Sounds. Afterward, she witnessed the Princess proclaim her birthright to rule the nation before the assembly of ministers. Once the meeting adjourned, Mariam met with Elluka and Leonhart after the session convened.

After some discussion, admitting their lack of political savvy, Mariam voiced her preference to have Riliane on the throne rather than to continue with no ruler at all. During this meeting she also suggested to Leonhart that the prince be brought in as a servant instead and the warrior agreed to the idea. Mariam then agreed in turn to arrange for him to be the princess' attendant, reminding them that they should share their decision with Minis as well.[16]

Mariam arguing for Elluka to stay

The next day, Mariam was summoned by Elluka to the Hall of Mirrors. After Elluka pretended to attempt to assassinate her, soundly being countered by Mariam's reflexes, she announced her intention to leave Lucifenia. Mariam pleaded for her friend to stay, citing the precarious political situation they had with their neighboring nations, Riliane being only a teenager. Elluka was yet adamant on leaving, though was moved enough to consider taking on an apprentice to potentially take her place. Their conversation was then interrupted by Ney coming to tell her that Leonahart had brought Allen to the palace as a servant boy.[13]

After examining the former Prince and sending him off as a new servant for Riliane, Mariam learned from Minis that Elluka had gone to Elphegort in search of an apprentice. Later on, she found her friend in the halls and asked her about it, though Elluka reported the trip had ended in failure. The two of them also discussed the matter of Allen and how he had been getting on with the princess, before overhearing Riliane both tackle him in a game of tag, and threaten to behead him for almost winning out over her.

When Mariam chided her careless comment, assuming it had been in jest, Riliane insisted it was serious, as it was her right as princess to behead any she wished. After the Princess left, Mariam and Elluka continued their conversation about the state of affairs in the court, the possible danger of Allen and Riliane's resemblance being discovered (with Elluka unconcerned), and the events that they had just witnessed. As the year progressed, the head maid continued serving the Princess as she became increasingly tyrannical, beheading people for petty offenses.[16]

On the day of Princess Riliane's fourteenth birthday, December 27, Mariam strictly oversaw the servants' work during the preparations, assigning Allen to help Chartette with cleaning the palace courtyard earlier on.[16]

Mariam contemplates Leonhart's frustration with Allen

After Riliane's escape stunt later that day, the servants fell behind in their work due to the search and were forced to make up for their lost time that evening.[17] During the festivities, Mariam attended the celebration and directed the servants to assure the event went flawlessly while also attending to the guests visiting that night.[16] Later on during the party, she found Allen just outside the Hall of Mirrors, suggesting he rest. Allen declined.

She then noted he seemed to have Princess Riliane on his mind, and the two began a discussion about her; in particular the issue of their resemblance and the potential for being found out. Mariam insisted it would not be a problem due to Elluka's statements on the matter of it being a coincidence, and Riliane's clear lack of memory.

Later she was witness to Leonhart storming out of the palace out of anger at Riliane's massive candy castle, as well as Allen's pursuit. She went to speak to the boy, musing on how Leonhart's frustrations were justified though also inadvisable in light of Riliane's absolute power. Their conversation was interrupted by Chartette exclaiming that the party would be over soon and that they would soon need to clean up; she then sent Allen and Chartette among the other servants to help see the guests off.[17]

After the assassination attempt on Riliane in EC 500, Mariam was one of the few people she permitted beside her. About a week after the princess' birthday, Mariam learned that Leonhart was discovered dead in the river and attended his funeral. Seeing his foster daughter, Germaine, silent, she held the child in her arms, her shoulders trembling.[18] Some time later, Keel Freezis asked for a messenger to visit in exchange for aid to Lucifenia; Mariam was one of the servants chosen but Keel refused to have her, and Allen was selected instead.

A few days later, Mariam was sent on a reconnaissance mission to discover the identity of Kyle's green-haired lover, for whom he had broken his engagement with Riliane. Sending Ney to the Freezis Mansion and doing her own investigation in Elphegort, Mariam reported back that she remained in the dark, as if they were being impeded from learning the truth. The Head Maid watched as Riliane erupted into a tantrum before calling for Prime Minister Minis and ordering him to have all the green-haired women in Elphegort slaughtered.

Mariam pleads for Elluka to stay

After Riliane demanded that the forest impeding an invasion be burned, Elluka told Mariam of her intention to flee Lucifenia with Gumillia. Mariam's pleas to the contrary did not change Elluka's mind, and she was bid farewell. [19] After Riliane hired Gast Venom to aid in combatting the revolution, Mariam was able to have a talk with him. They discussed their new positions in life before Mariam learned from Gast that he was searching for a place to die.[12]

When the palace was invaded during the Lucifenian Revolution, Mariam met with Allen and suggested he usurp Riliane's power and show his support for the resistance, hoping that it would save Lucifenia. When Allen refused, ordering her to protect Riliane instead, Mariam obediently left to fight off the Resistance army herself, entering the Heavenly Yard and singlehandedly bolstering the remaining palace servants to fend of Germaine's charge.[20]

Mariam battling Chartette

Soon after her initiative, however, she was attacked by a cloaked swordswoman. She returned strikes with her blades, destroying the attacker's cloak and revealing it to be Chartette. Horrified, she pressed her former underling for answers as to why she had turned on them, Chartette explaining her loyalty to the people.

After a heated battle and discussion, Mariam gained the upper hand when Chartette's blade was stuck in the ground. She shattered her giant sword in a single strike, then followed up her attack and kicked the maid into the palace walls. Apologizing, she got ready to finish her off but was suddenly struck by Chartette's rocket glove. Still recovering from the strike, Mariam tried but failed to move while Chartette prepared to deal the final blow. Fortunately for her, the former maid hesitated and Mariam was able to use the opportunity to throw a smoke bomb and escape in the confusion.

During Mariam's retreat and reflection on events, she was surprised to see Ney, claiming she came back out of worry for her mother. When she turned the other way, saying they needed to flee, her adopted daughter stabbed her in the back. Mariam collapsed to the ground, looking on as Ney finished killing her and reflecting on her fate.[21]

Following her death, Mariam was sent to the Heavenly Yard and remained there. In EC 999, she and the other souls were pulled back to the Third Period as the ground world merged with the Hellish Yard.[22] Afterward, Mariam was invited to a dinner party at the Lucifenian Royal Palace held in Princess Riliane's honor and joined the other guests in the Hall of Mirrors. Later during the festivities, she inhaled the Eighth Gift in the palace air and fell into a deep slumber.[23]

Mariam eventually woke up and gathered with everyone else in the Hall of Sounds. As the group discussed the Tasan Party soldiers surrounding the palace and Chartette and Riliane Mouchet discussed Riliane being in danger, Mariam pointed out that the soldiers probably knew of some way to hurt Riliane despite her being a soul. Asked by Anne what the soldiers knew that they didn't, Mariam cited Abyss I.R. as someone who was probably privy to that information, explaining both the mage's powers and her past. Causing an uproar amongst the gathered souls, Mariam later joined the battle.[24]

During the ensuing fight, Mariam watched as the Venom Mercenaries drive back the Tasan soldiers, recognizing Gast Venom among them. When Germaine was heavily hit with artillery as she attempted to take out the Tasan forces' general, Tony Ausdin, Mariam along with Leonhart and Allen pulled her to safety. When Germaine defended her actions by saying she wanted to demoralize the Tasan soldiers by defeating their head, Mariam pointed out that Germaine was in a similar position as leader of the revolution.

When, later into the battle, the Black Box flew out over the Lucifenian forces and began to suck everyone inside, Mariam was one of the few spirits to remain. Not long after, the Black Box was defeated and the souls inside were freed, although no longer wishing to do battle.[25] Following Riliane and Allen's creation of the Fourth Period, Mariam stayed behind, gathering with the other souls at the Lucifenian Royal Palace.[26] Later on, she accompanied Arth as he met with Lich Arklow, who was leading the souls who were formerly Outlaws, leading them the rest of the way to the palace.[27]

"That being said, Elluka would have a pained expression on her face whenever she heard the church bells ring. Although she didn't say it out loud, I understand that Elluka was grieving for her lost friends."

Following her demise and the revolution's end, a patrolling Marlon soldier found her body in the Heavenly Yard gardens and reported the finding to King Kyle. During the peace conference held the next day, he informed the delegates of the report. Although it was assumed she was killed by the revolutionary army during her escape, no one reported the kill, leaving the mystery unsolved.[28]

Years later, Ney admitted to being responsible for Mariam's death to Chartette after toying with the former maid's supposed part in her death.[29] While confronting Germaine Avadonia, the Special Maneuvers Task Force's Assassination Squad claimed to each have the skill level of Mariam, although Germaine asserted they were far weaker than the legendary assassin.[30]

In history, Mariam was famed in legend as one of the Three Heroes serving under King Arth I during Lucifenia's conquests. After the death of Shaw Freezis over a century later, Elluka recalled also losing Mariam and Leonhart while mourning his death, lamenting not even being there to see how they died or at least trying to save them.[31]

"That is, she was someone who could not find the meaning of her own existence without swearing allegiance to something, without martyring herself for someone–it was a loyalty that seemed like madness."

As a disciplined spy and assassin, Mariam was a strong, independent and mature individual, who believed strength was a trait of women in general.[20] Normally, she maintained an extremely serious demeanor, conducting herself with a vacant expression and icy gaze.[13] Similarly, she was merciless in battle, cutting down enemy infantry one by one without hesitation, and even killing traitors despite their past bonds.[20] As a youth, Mariam was even more coldhearted and cruel due to the Malice within her.[32]

Mariam keeping the servants busy

However, following her youth, Mariam was not heartless. In rare occurrences, she did smile, cry, and even teased others.[16] She was similarly unwilling to abandon the seemingly amnesic Ney,[15] as well as being a secretly caring employer to Chartette.[16] She similarly disapproved of wanton killing and racial discrimination;[33] her views on morality left her disturbed and upset by what little of her past with Abyss that she remembered.[11] She also had quirks in her disciplined behavior, such as pointlessly fixing Riliane's girly bows on Allen because they were askew.[16]

Mariam strongly valued loyalty above all. Whether under Abyss I.R., the Asmodean Emperor, Arth and Anne, or even Princess Riliane, Mariam faithfully served her masters due to the meaning that her loyalty afforded her life; despite this, she appeared hypocritical to others by defecting from Asmodean and offering to betray Riliane, her true loyalties having been to her parents and the kingdom they created rather than the princess herself.[12] Mariam similarly appeared disturbed by perceived betrayals, though respecting their intentions should they be noble or just.[21] This led to her despair at her eventual end, having been betrayed by everyone she knew.[21]

Trained by Abyss IR, Mariam was a master of cloak and dagger and, after joining the Asmodean military, obtained the rank of general by the time she was nine.[10] As an assassin and spy, she was observant in battle and skilled at gathering intelligence in times of peace;[13] likewise, her perception gave her strong intuition.[17] Gifted with charisma and leadership, Mariam gained many followers as one of the Three Heroes and used her legendary status to inspire morale.[20] She did have a tendency, however, to overthink situations which made her less ideal for providing easy solutions to a problem.[15]

As a fighter, Mariam employed a myriad of weapons for quick combat, such as daggers and smoke bombs;[21] in battle she was fast, powerful and extremely precise,[20] her skills even exceeding Gast Venom's.[11] Mariam was also very flexible, even in her cumbersome maid uniform. She was also adept at martial arts, even able to shatter a large broadsword with a single strike from her palm. The assassin carried tremendous strength in her kicks and could kick combatively straight up in the air.[33] Her speed and grace carried over to her duties in court as Head Maid.[17]

Abyss I.R.: Mariam's former master. Raised by Abyss I.R. since infancy, Mariam was wholly obedient to the witch until losing her memories. Afterwards, she continued to plague her nightmares.

Elluka Clockworker: A fellow member of the Three Heroes. Mariam had a deep friendship with Elluka cultivated during their time together in the Lucifenian Expansion War. She expressed frustration with her lackadaisical manner and was bewildered by her ageless nature, but still valued her company greatly and would often consult her in difficult matters. Mariam also relied on Elluka's powerful abilities to protect the kingdom and was distraught when Elluka ultimately left the palace, considering it one of many betrayals.

Leonhart Avadonia: A fellow member of the Three Heroes. Mariam had a deep friendship with Leonhart cultivated during their time together in the Lucifenian Expansion War. The two would often consult each other in difficult situations, although she envied the simplicity of his thought processes. Mariam was greatly grieved by Leonhart's assassination.

Chartette Langley: A maid working under Mariam in the palace. Mariam acted as a comforting figure for Chartette, supporting her despite the maid's clumsiness, and grew fond of the girl. When Chartette revealed herself to be part of the Resistance, Mariam was horrified and expressed disbelief at the betrayal, willing to kill her despite her former affection. After Chartette bested her in a duel, she was greatly shaken, considering it one of many betrayals she suffered.

Ney Phutapie: Mariam's adopted daughter. Mariam did not openly show her mother-daughter relationship with Ney, instead treating her as just another one of the servants; despite this, she viewed Ney as her own daughter, training her in and cared for her safety even after the maid fled the palace, leaving her alone. Due to this, she was shocked and demoralized when Ney attacked her, thinking of it as the last of many betrayals as she died.

Gast Venom: A comrade of Mariam's from her days in the Asmodean military. The young Mariam became friends with Gast after defecting to Lucifenia in the Lucifenian Expansion War, meeting him as an exile and coming to understand his troubles. After working with him before the Revolution, she expressed displeasure at how little he'd changed and his inability to accept his sister's death.

Allen Avadonia: A servant working under Mariam in the palace. As one of the few people who knew that Allen and Riliane were actually twins, Mariam treated Allen with consideration and sympathy. In light of Riliane's tyranny and Allen's intelligent political mind, she believed that he was more suited to being the ruler of Lucifenia despite how events played out.

Riliane Lucifen d'Autriche: Mariam's employer after Arth and Anne's death. Mariam was loyal to Riliane only as an extension of her loyalty to Anne, and so was not above betraying her if the situation grew dire. Believing her unsuited for the throne, she attempted to reason with her as the princess became more tyrannical and preferred her brother as a master, although to all appearances serving Riliane faithfully.